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I'll be in Thailand this August and am looking to stay in a dormitory.

Vipasai Niyamabha
Special to The Nation June 13, 2012 1:00 am

I've been checking out many types of accommodation and would love to try some of the dorms in Thailand. Do you have any recommendations? Jackie

To be honest with you, dormitory accommodation is not common in Thailand. It does exist though dorms are easier to find in Bangkok than elsewhere in the country. Travellers who come to Thailand find that a single room in Khao San Road area is actually cheaper than staying in a dorm room in other countries. The old generation of hostels in Khao San used to mean dingy rooms with nasty bathrooms, but these have all gradually been replaced by newer boutique hostels. These fall between a regular hostel and a B&B and are ideal for budget-conscious and comfort seeking travellers seeking to get the best value for their money.

You will find dorm rooms in a handful of hostels in Bangkok. Some of them are relatively new and located in very central areas. I came across a few in the Silom Road area: Smile Society, HQ Hostel, Lub D, Saphai Pae Hostel and The Urban Age. The hostel brand Lub D also has another branch near Siam Square. Link Corner, located near the new Ratchaprarop Airport Link, and Udee Bangkok in Pradiphat Road are also worth checking out. For Sukhumvit, you have Asok Montri Hostel, which isn't far from Asok BTS Station.

Similar boutique hostels in Khao San and the old city area are Nappark Hostel and Niras Bankoc Cultural Hostel.

However, as mentioned, you may find a single hotel room in Khao San is cheaper than these new dorms, which starts from Bt350 a bed a night. It is clear that hostels in Bangkok are going upmarket and you have many to choose from.

I will be spending a few days in Bangkok, and would like to have your opinion about doing a day trip to Koh Kred. Can you give me more information about this place so I can judge if it's worth going? Thanks, Zasah

Koh Kred is an island in the Chao Phraya River in Nonthaburi Province. It's an easy day trip and a good place to spend a lazy afternoon with the ethnic Mon villagers who live on the island. The island itself is quite big, but you can easily find a small chartered boat to take you around, then stop at one of the piers so you can explore the village on foot.

Koh Kred dates back to end of the Ayutthaya kingdom, when the Kred Noi canal was dug to shorten the journey from the estuary of the Chao Phrya River to Ayuthaya. Over the years, the river current caused the banks of the canal to erode and Koh Kred became an island.

The north of Koh Kred is connected to Nonthaburi and nearer to Pak Kred, the mouth of the river. Weekenders flock there to visit the Mon pottery village known as Kwarn Ar marn. For more than two centuries, Mon people have produced many jars, pots, bowls and mortars for everyday. Their pottery is considered as amongst the most practical as well as the most charming of all unglazed earthenware.

The Mon temple of Wat Poramai Yikawas is also worth seeing for its interesting architecture. The temple is the first place to stop after crossing to the island. After that, I'd suggest exploring the small paths on foot.

The Mon hail original from the Central and Southern parts of Myanmar. When their capital Hongsawadi was destroyed by Burmese troops, thousand of Mon fled into Thailand and were permitted by King Taksin to settle at Koh Kred.

They are friendly and their island is charming. I'd say it's definitely worth a day trip from hectic Bangkok.